If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

When days pass slowly, my mind wanders back to mistakes I’ve made: disloyalty, hurtful words and deeds, and much worse. Why can’t we forget the wrongs we have done?

Perhaps we do not clearly see how our loving God forgives us. “… as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” Psalm 103:12; “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” Isaiah 1:18; “... his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” Colossians 1:13-14. The more clearly we see God’s seriousness in forgiving us, the better we can see ourselves through His eyes: pure, loved, forgiven, redeemed children, and heirs. Then we can love ourselves and others that same way.

Jill Rodenbeck
Fort Wayne, IN

Dear Father, thank You for making us Your forgiven children by Your grace. Amen.

Reflect: Focus on Jesus’ promise of love and forgiveness and forgive yourself and others.

Read: Psalm 51 and Psalm 130